BYC SEWING/QUILTING CLUB

[baustin]

Anything that will get you started would work for the pattern. Depending on your budget you'd need a rotary cutter and mat but you definitely would need a pair of scissors. The cost would depend on where you buy your fabric or maybe someone you know would give you some of her scraps. You can go to a quilt store and look at sewing machines or even your local Walmart. By the way....my son and his family live in Hope Mills. He just retired from the army after 22 years. Good luck on your project.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Yep..I agree good scissors will be a must..(you can get a good pair for $10-15 at Wally)..THE SECRET TO GOOD SCISSORS IS..DON'T CUT ANYTHING WITH THEM BUT FABRIC!..if you can't afford a machine right now start by hand..that is the way I learned..makes you appreciate the machine when you do get started.

You will find LOTS of experience on the forum..all willing to enable you!! I am always willing to answer any questions I can.

 

[Zahboo]

Today we are going to go through the shed and find my Grandma's sewing machine. All that should need to be done on it is thread the bobbin. I was hoping I could get the singer sewing machine that was my deceased grandmothers, but my dad said the motor is burnt out. It's an antique and I plan on when I get it in my house when I graduate to get it working. I think I'm going to start out with a rag quilt, they are really cute.

 

[baustin]

What an adventure you have before you. Good luck in your endevour. Be sure and clean that sewing machine and give it a good oiling before you use it. I agree with Cedar Ridge Chicks. You learn a lot from hand sewing and her advice on using those scissors only for cutting out material is the soundest advise you can receive. I have a pair I've had for more than 30 years and they have stayed sharp. When my children were still at home they knew not to mess with my sewing scissors. Everyone on here is friendly and helpful and more than willing to give advice. There are some very knowledgeable people on here. Good luck......

 

[verthandi]

Quote:
I found a local hardware store near me that sharpens scissors. I was so excited. I took two pair in to be done and found out they sent them out to someone locally. I've had these shears for over 30 years and remember well my Mother mildly threatening us if you used them on anything but fabric. A week later I went back to pick up my scissors, the young man that owns the hardware store whipped them out of a package and immediately cut through a piece of paper with them to show me how sharp they were. His ears are probably still ringing, as I shrieked....DON'T CUT PAPER with my sewing scissors! I sounded just like my Mother...it even frightened me. I apologized all over myself for screaming...but I bet he never did that again. He honestly didn't know.

 

[calicokat]

OMG that's so funny! I'm that way about my fabric scissors too

I tear a strip of fabric, say 1/2 inch by 3 inches, and tie it through the thumb hole -- everyone knows, the scissors with the fabric tied on are FABRIC only.

 

[baustin]

It is funny what stays with you. My mother sewed but never quilted. It wasn't popular in the UK way back when. She taught me to knit and I learned to crochet as a teenager from a friend. I didn't get interested until sometime in the late 70's and it was 1980 before I really got started. I had lots of fabric left over from sewing for the children and still have more of it today. Of my 3 daughters only one took to sewing and she quilts as I do. I always pieced and quilted by hand and that's how I taught her but she found machine quilting her forte and now she has me doing it even though she's on the east coast in NC and I'm on the west coast in CA. We swap info and share photos. I didn't even use a rotary cutter until a few years ago....guess you can teach an old dog tricks. lol!

 

[Zahboo]

What do you suggest for a first quilt. I want it to be twin sized. I know that's starting big, but I don't really want wall hangings, I want a blanket. I want it simple and not too expensive. I there one like the rag quilt, but not having the rag, does that make since. Just be smooth on both sides....

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

How about a four patch of what ever size blocks you want..do you have a certain fabric in mind? (did I see somewhere that you wanted to use fleece?)..My daughter made her first quilt this past summer; she chose 6 prints (100% cotton) and muslin. She used a 6 1/2 square; bought a yard of each print and I think 2 yds of muslin.She used my rotary cutter and just cut all the squares she could get, then made 4 patches using 2 prints and 2 muslin squares..sewed the 4 patch units together for the top, added a matching border and has it ready to quilt..plus has enough to make pillow shams to match. She has around $50 in the fabric for the top, but will have to buy backing and batting. I believe she made a generous full/queen size.

Decide on the fabric you want and the pattern you want and we(someone on here) can help you figure what you need and the cost etc..(fleece may be a little high..not sure..haven't used it any).

 

[SarahBeth9394]

Zahboo another good pattern is the Rail Fence. Just google Rail Fence quilt and you'll find the instructions. Quilting can be as expensive or as frugal as you make it. You can go to the fabric store and spend 8 to 10 dollars a yard (I didn't until I had made a few quilts first) or you can use your dads old dress shirts. You can make a t-shirt quilt (just google t-shirt quilt) or you can go to the local thrift store and get 100% cotton clothes for quilting. Also keep an eye out for garage sales and estate sales. You can find lots of fabric for very little $.